NEWS

Government plans new quality standards for toy companies

The import of these toys will now be prohibited for the next six monthsSource: The Economic Times, Mumbai, Date: January , 2009

The market for Chinese toys has landed itself in a spot of bother with the director general of foreign trade, Department of Commerce, stating that they were toxic. This was conveyed to the Bombay High Court on Thursday by the Central government. The import of these toys will now be prohibited for the next six months.

The division bench comprising Chief Justice Swatanter Kumar and Justice Dhananjay Chandrachud was hearing a public interest litigation filed by the Consumer Welfare Association regarding the toxic nature of imported toys. The government affidavit, filed in response to the public interest litigation, states that the study being conducted by the ministry of health and family welfare will take some more time to be presented. The enforceability of imposition of standards on domestic toys manufacturers is also being examined in consultation with various ministries. “It is clear that no standards can be imposed on imported toys alone and the same have also to be imposed on the domestic industry,” it notes. “After the law ministry gives its opinion, time would also be required to give notice to the other countries under our international obligations. The matter has now been adjourned for eight weeks.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (Department of Health Research) has to set up a special five-member committee under Dr YK Gupta, Professor and Biochemistry and Toxicology Department Head at AIIMS, New Delhi. Additionally, two expert members — Dr CM Chacko, Deputy Director and Head, Toxicology at the Sriram Institute of Industrial Research and Dr NP Agnihotri, a retired chemist from Gujarat — have also been appointed on the committee.